Drake Milligan is on a winning streak that he hopes to sustain on ‘America’s Got Talent’

The Mansfield-born singer, who performed two country songs that hit No. 1 on iTunes, is vying for a $1 million prize on the NBC show as one of 11 finalists.

Whatever the outcome, country music singer Drake Milligan knows he’s undergone a life-changing moment.

Milligan is among 11 finalists on the verge of winning $1 million and a headlining slot on America’s Got Talent’s Las Vegas show. The finalists will appear on AGT Tuesday and the winner will be announced on Wednesday’s show in Los Angeles.

But even if Milligan isn’t chosen by viewers as the winner, the 24-year-old former Mansfield resident’s appearance on the show has paid off. It’s accelerated his goal of parlaying his time in Nashville into success on tour.

“My life has changed really, really fast by being on the show,” Milligan said. “The response has been amazing. It’s been kind of a whirlwind.”

It wasn’t long ago that his parents were footing his dream of becoming a young Elvis Presley impersonator. Milligan was influenced by another impersonator performing at a local burger joint. From 7 years old on, Elvis was his passion and he played gigs as an Elvis tribute artist.

He landed a role as Presley on Country Music Television’s short-lived series Sun Records. The gig prompted him to move from Mansfield to Nashville during his senior year at Mansfield Legacy High School.

In 2018, he competed on American Idol but dropped out, deciding to focus on what he could learn in Nashville. He eventually landed a contract with BBR Music Group and released his self-titled EP.

Then, he and his band decided to try America’s Got Talent. In his appearances in June and August, he received unanimous praise from the show’s four judges and advanced to the finals show Tuesday. He threw off an Elvis vibe that impressed the judges.

It also impressed the viewers who fell for his twang-heavy baritone mixed with his Elvis-like looks and moves.

After each appearance, his songs — “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” and “Kiss Goodbye All Night” — shot up to No. 1 on iTunes’ Top 100 country songs.

“I feel like you’re America’s Got Talent’s biggest story already,” judge Heidi Klum told Milligan after fan voting results put him in the final.

His full-length debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth, arrives Thursday, ahead of his tour stop at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth on Sept. 23 — both important steps in his career.

“I’ve been in Nashville the last five years, just trying to work my way into country music and try to make a name for myself,” Milligan said. “It’s changed the direction a little bit in that I get a lot of doors opened. Before I was playing any little club I could and trying to get my foot in the door. And now, a lot more doors have opened.

“People are showing up and buying tickets, and that’s something I never had before.”

Although changes are happening in his career, he said he doesn’t plan to deviate from his style, even in Nashville.

“For me, that’s sticking to your Texas roots and singing the music I want to sing, which is traditional country music,” he said. “I stick to my roots.”

Milligan said the America’s Got Talent experience has felt comfortable for him, from engaging with the judges and fans, to interacting and supporting other contestants backstage during the live shows.